There is nothing prettier than a jewellery that suits you. With the variety of available options in designs, chances are high that the design you loved the most might run out of acquiring ability. Therefore, it is essential to care for the ornament pieces you own. The ritual of carefully storing, cleaning and wearing extends the lifespan of many jewels. The virtue of preserving your precious jewellery with care cannot be enough emphasised in words.
Today, from the house of Om Jewellers, read about everything you must know with regards to owning jewellery to taking care of it. Ornaments last a lifetime and they become a legacy for many.
1. The way you store jewellery defines their lifespan
Designs carved while making an Indian styled jewellery are often intricate and delicate. Taking advantage of such intricacies, dust particles and moisture resides in the caves and lines. This residing, if not dusted off, is sure to cause damage to your ornaments. Always store your jewellery in a cloth-lined box. Even if all your pieces look heavenly together, it is important for their preservation that you separately wrap them in a cotton cloth before storing them. Gold is a soft metal at the end of the day that is vulnerable to scratches, bending and dings.
Pro tip: Invest in a box that has been made especially for the purpose of storing jewellery.
2. Planning a clean-up? Know what not to use
Chlorine should not even be the last thing that you would want to put on your gold jewellery. This element can temper with the delicate design of your ornaments and may cause structural damage due to which your ornaments might break. It is always best to put on the jewellery last when dressing up to prevent lotions and powders from settling on the surface of the ornament. Use alcohol as a cleaning agent. It does not react with gold (or even silver) and evaporates leaving no traces. Alternatively, if you see deposition of patina or dust, consider rinsing in mild soap and warm water solution.
Pro tip: Make 10-part water and 2-part soap solution. Soak the ornaments for not more than 3 hours. Remove and dry using a cotton cloth. This takes off all dirt, skin oils and dust.
3. Use Silica pads when storing ornaments for a long period of time
Moisture, skin oils and dust are three main elements that may cover your ornaments once you have worn them. These elements can attract more dust and dirt accumulation. To prevent this from happening, you can use silica pads. They actively lock moisture and last long even if kept in a closed space for prolonged periods of time. A notable fact here is that these pads also protect against damage that can be caused due to deserted particles of skin oils. Use three to four packs of silica gel for more better moisture protection.
Pro tip: While storing your ornaments separately, add individual silica pads to necklaces, anklets and bangles for extra moisture protection.
4. Diamonds must be cared for
Diamond studded ornaments are a treat for the eyes but it is important to not touch them frequently. By doing so, dirt and oils for your skin transfer onto the diamond. While diamonds stay unaffected by water, oil and grease, on the other hand, can have a severe impact on a diamond’s shine. As the layers of dirt and oil keep increasing, your diamond will no longer shine the way it used to. This dreariness can happen to uncut as well as cut diamonds. We advise against wearing diamond-studded jewellery when you are applying makeup, hairspray or anything that can form a layer on the diamond’s surface. Use a clean and soft cloth to gently wipe off your diamonds. Be gentle while doing so.
Pro tip: Once a diamond gets damaged, there is no way its original shine can be restored. We recommend you store them in the jewellery boxes they come in. Otherwise, store each ornament separately in a zip-lock or cotton pouch to prevent rubbing.
5. Diamonds are not for everyday
Even if they look gorgeous on your body, diamonds are not meant to be worn every day. Despite their hard nature, a diamond’s shine should be cared for. If you often indulge in processes that involve the usage of bleach and salt, avoid wearing diamond in such situations.
Pro tip: Ornaments that have multiple small diamonds studded in one intricate design should be worn the minimum. They are pretty delicate and you should preferably limit them to occasional wear.
6. Get your jewellery cleaned up professionally at least once a year
Maintaining ornaments regularly is a tough thing to do, considering your busy schedules and the maintenance needs to be required possessed by every ornament. To ensure your gold and diamonds are in good condition even after decades, we recommend professional cleaning. At Om Jewellers, our dedicated team carefully works around your ornaments’ design and carvings to give a detailed clean-up.
Pro tip: Your jewellery loses weight after it has been cleaned. The change in weight happens after dirt and oil precipitates have been removed.
7. Things you must consider while buying Gold
Gold is considered to be an investment in many cultures. Accordingly, it is important that you pay attention to the type of gold you wish to purchase. There are several types of gold you can choose from and these variants are available by virtue of the concept of alloying in gold. On that note, we must also address the demand of 24-karat gold, a variant that is too soft to retain any shape it has been crafted into. Thus, it is better to opt for alloyed gold which is reasonably strong and can retain shape with much ease.
Some popular variants of gold alloys are:
Yellow Gold: This traditional gold variant is a mix of pure gold with zinc, copper and silver. Ornaments made out of this variant are hypo-allergenic in nature and when compared to others, these require low maintenance. You can wear jewellery made out of yellow gold on a daily basis.
White Gold: Ideal for everyday wear, white gold is the toughest variant you can find. Made by mixing nickel or palladium, zinc and copper this gold is pocket-friendly and highly durable.
Rose Gold: This delicate looking gold is obtained by mixing copper in gold. From an investment perspective, rose gold contains as much gold as yellow or white variant does. Its durability makes it ideal for regular wear.
Green Gold: A not-so-popular variant, green gold is made by mixing gold, silver and copper. It is strong and can be used to make intricate designs that demand material strength. The green colour is due to the presence of silver in the mixture.
Pro tip: To see how each gold alloy fits in your lifestyle, you can start with a ring. Subject it to everyday usage and decide which one works the best for you.
8. A full-proof diamond plan
Diamonds are rare gems that are cherished by mankind. But, how will you know which gem is the rarest and the best for you (say, for an investment)? They are categorised by the 4C principle where each C stands for – Cut, Colour, Carat, Clarity. Om Jewellers have a diamond for every occasion you name. We select high-grade diamonds and bring them to you.
Conclusion
For sustainability, everything needs to be cared for. The same goes for gold and diamonds. Even the finest quality will dull if proper care and precautions are not exercised. With our roots originating from the Middle East and India, we understand how a piece of jewellery can become a part of a family’s history.
At Om Jewellers, we believe that an ornament should tell a story that the upcoming generations can take pride in.
Visit one of our Australian jewellery stores in Perth or Brisbane. For more information, contact our team today and call +61 8 9258 9952.
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